Luggage Retention Device and Seat with Such a Luggage Retention Device

ABSTRACT

A luggage retention device may be affixed underneath a seat area of a passenger seat and includes an upper element and a lower element which may be made of flexible materials. The upper element in the region of a backrest of the passenger seat is spaced apart from the lower element to form a raised part, and in the region of a front edge of a seat area contacts the lower element to form a part of the luggage retention device, the part being arranged so as to be lying substantially flat.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2006 049 002.9 filed Oct. 17, 2006, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/829,735 filed Oct. 17, 2006, of European Patent Application No. 05 028 664.0 filed Dec. 29, 2005 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/754,745 filed Dec. 29, 2005, the disclosures of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field relates to a luggage retention device as well as to a seat with such a luggage retention device, in particular, for use in aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In aircraft, passenger seats are arranged at determined spacing in relation to each other in an aircraft cabin, commonly referred to as the seat pitch. The normal seat pitch for economy class in a passenger aircraft ranges from approximately 710 mm to 840 mm. At the level of the seat surface this repetition of components, in longitudinal direction of the aircraft, may essentially be divided into two decisive sections: first, the region taken up by the depth of the seat area and by the adjacent thickness of the backrest; and second the clearance between the backrest of the seat directly in front, and of the front edge of the seat directly behind it.

A cross section of an aircraft cabin shows that the loading edge of an overhead stowage bin may not be positioned vertically above the aisle-side edge of a group of seats, but instead may be set back behind the edge by some dimension in a transverse direction of the aircraft. This offset in transverse direction of the aircraft would make it possible for a person, during loading or unloading of the bins, to step between the seats so that the longitudinal aisle of the cabin remains clear for other passengers to pass without impediment. However, in reality, the aisle frequently becomes blocked because passengers may find it impossible, during loading and unloading, to step between the aisle-side seats. The clearance between the backrest and the front edge of the seat may be inadequate for this.

However, blockages of the aisle may increase the time an aircraft spends on the ground, thus possibly having a negative effect on the economic result of an airline.

One solution to the above-mentioned problem consists of providing the aisle-side seat area so that it may automatically fold upwards. However, in relation to the aisle-side seat, luggage volume underneath the seat and floor space are in direct conflict with each other. Basically, three types of usage compete for the space underneath a seat area that may be folded up:

-   -   1. standing between the seats,     -   2. luggage storage (usually of the passenger seated behind), and     -   3. extended leg room for the passenger seated behind.         It may be understood that usage 1 may exclude concurrent usage 2         and 3, while usage 2 may exclude usage 1 and 3, and usage 3         excludes usage 1 and 2.

Usage 2 and 3 may be limited in favour of usage 1. In contrast to this, the floor space may not be compromised if the retention device is arranged so as to be vertical underneath the front edge of the transverse seat structure and of the folded-up seat area. Since the remaining shareable space behind the retention device is then only small, usage 2 (luggage storage) and usage 3 (relaxed leg position) may exclude each other almost completely. Furthermore, retention rods that are adjustable in longitudinal direction of the aircraft may not be practical because it may not be clear who is to determine their position. This would may be tantamount to inviting conflict situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other things, it may be an object of the present invention to create a luggage retention device and a seat with such a luggage retention device, where it may be possible to solve the conflict between the ability to stand between the seats, and providing luggage storage space underneath the seat.

The luggage retention device according to one example of the invention, may be affixed underneath the seat surface of a passenger seat, and comprises an upper element and a lower element made of flexible materials, where the upper element in the region of a backrest of the passenger seat may be spaced apart from the lower element to form a raised part of the luggage retention device, and in the region of a front edge of the seat area contacts the lower element so as to form a substantially flat-lying part of the luggage retention device. In this way, the raised part, from behind, may allow sliding an item of luggage underneath the passenger seat. In this arrangement, the upper element and the lower element form a pocket. If no item of luggage is to be slid underneath the passenger seat, for cases where the seat area of the passenger seat may be folded up, it may be easy to stand between the passenger seats.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the luggage retention device further comprises lateral delimitation devices which interconnect edges of the upper element with those of the lower element in the region between the raised part and the flat-lying part. This may prevent any lateral falling out of objects that have been slid into the luggage retention device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the delimitation devices may be made from an elastic net, from a material with an elastic insert, or a tension tape, or as a scissor-type mechanism so that in a state where no object is inserted in the luggage retention device, and as a result of an elastic force, the upper element may be pulled in the direction of the lower element, thus making it easier for a person to stand between the seat rows without a danger of tripping over.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an area of the upper element may be larger than that of the lower element. This may make it possible for a person to safely stand between the seats without the luggage retention device becoming an obstacle that poses a danger of the person tripping over, but at the same time may increase the luggage volume.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the luggage retention device may be designed, by way of connections, to be integrated in the passenger seat. This may ensure that if there may be a change in layout of the seats, the associated luggage retention devices may move along with the seats.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, in the installed state of the passenger seat, the lower element rests substantially flat on the floor to which the passenger seat may be fastened. As an alternative, the floor itself may be the lower element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the luggage retention device, as an independent component, is slidable, along a seat rail in which the passenger seat may be arranged.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the raised part of the luggage retention device may be formed by a dimensionally stable frame so as to accommodate an item of luggage or to provide space for the feet of a passenger seated behind.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the raised part may be formed by elastic fasteners provided on the upper element and connected to the passenger seat. This may allow the ability to easily push the upper element downwards, for example with a vacuum cleaner, which facilitates the cleaning process.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, several luggage retention devices for a group of passenger seats are taken together to form a totality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

Below, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the enclosed figures. Identical or similar components in the figures have the same reference characters. The following are shown:

FIG. 1 shows a region of an aircraft cabin interior with a group of passenger seats to illustrate the underlying problem;

FIG. 2 depicts a luggage retention device according to a preferred embodiment in a first state;

FIG. 3 shows the luggage retention device according to FIG. 2 in a second state;

FIG. 4 depicts the luggage retention device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in detail;

FIG. 5 illustrates a luggage retention device according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 6A to 6C show luggage retention devices according to further embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a luggage retention device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a luggage retention device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a luggage retention device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a luggage retention device according to another embodiment for a group of seats; and

FIG. 11 depicts a luggage retention device according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples described and drawings rendered are illustrative and are not to be read as limiting the scope of the invention as it is defined by the appended claims.

Identical or similar elements are always identified by the same or corresponding reference characters in all figures. The illustrations in the figures are diagrammatic and not to scale.

By a seat 1 of a group 2 of seats on the aisle side, which seat may be folded up, FIG. 1 shows the theoretically attainable maximum stowage volume under the seat 1. The front edge of the cuboid 3 may be positioned vertically underneath the front upholstery edge 4 of the seat area 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a luggage retention rod 6 of the adjacent seats 7, 8, which together with the seat 1 form the group 2 of seats, may be spaced somewhat back in relation to the above, because passengers in various situations wish to place their lower limbs back somewhat behind vertical, for example if they want to slide luggage below the seats in front (not shown).

FIG. 1 shows the extent to which the space for use as a luggage storage space and as extended legroom may be curtailed for the passenger seated behind, if the luggage retention rod may be placed back into a position substantially perpendicular underneath the front edge of the transverse carrier 9 in longitudinal direction of the aircraft. In contrast to this, a position of the retention rod 6 further forward, in particular in the case of the seat 1 being designed so as to be able to be folded up, would jeopardise the ability of passengers to stand between the seats, and would thus negate the advantages of a foldable seat as such, because there would be a permanent obstacle and a danger of the passenger standing between the seats tripping over. Furthermore, a foot of a passenger could even become trapped between the retention device and the transverse structure.

FIG. 2 shows the retention device 10 according to a preferred embodiment for use underneath the seat 1, arranged on the aisle-side, of the group 2 of seats. In FIG. 2 the retention device 10 may be designed as a carpet pocket and may be in a state in which no object has been slid under the seat 1.

The seat 1 may be designed as a folding seat. In FIG. 2, the seat is shown in a state in which the seat area is folded up so that a passenger may easily stand between the seats because s/he may step on the retention device 10. The retention device 10 may be made from a flexible material, for example, carpet or the like.

FIG. 2 shows the retention device 10 in its unused state, wherein a suitcase 12 is shown behind the seat 1, which suitcase 12 is ready to be slid into the retention device 10, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 shows that the raised part 13 of the luggage retention device 10, i.e. in that region below a transverse seat support 9 (in the area of the backrest 14 of the seat 1), the region may in any case not be used as an area to step on and the luggage retention device 10 may be raised such that the suitcase 12 may be inserted without there being any need to manually lift the carpet in addition.

FIG. 4 shows the luggage retention device 10 in detail, without the seat 1 being shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, the luggage retention device 10 comprises an upper element 15 and a lower element 16 which are interconnected by way of lateral delimitation devices 17. According to this embodiment, the lateral delimitation devices are made from an elastic net which makes it possible to accommodate the suitcase 12 and prevents any lateral falling out of said suitcase 12. In a region 18 of the luggage retention device 10 the upper element 15 may be spaced apart from the lower element 16 such that the raised part 13 may be formed, into which the suitcase 12 may be inserted into the raised part 13. Such spacing for example, may be achieved in the upper element 15, by loops A, which may be attached to the transverse structure 9 of the seat 1 as shown in FIG. 1.

In a region 19 of the luggage retention device 10, the upper element 15 contacts the lower element 16 and rests substantially flat against the latter. The luggage retention device 10 according to this embodiment, may be preferably designed as a carpet pocket. Other suitable non-rigid materials may be used. As mentioned above, the raised part 13 of the retention device 10 may be attached to a transverse structure of the seat. In contrast to this, in the remaining region of the luggage retention device 10, the design should be substantially flat so that anyone stepping onto the unused luggage retention device 10 does not perceive this region as a “step” or even an obstacle for tripping over.

The height of the flat region 19 of the luggage retention device 10 may be substantially reduced to the thickness of the material, for example, of a carpet. As an alternative, other flexible materials may be used for the upper element 15 and the lower element 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the area of the upper element 15 may be larger than the area of the lower element 16. In the unused state of the luggage retention device 10, the upper element 15 largely conforms with the lower element 16, as shown in FIG. 2, while in the case where the luggage retention device 10 is in use (suitcase 12 inserted) the upper element 15 may touch the lower element 16 only in the region 19. In the region 19, the upper element 15 may, for example, be sewn to the lower element 16. FIG. 4 shows such a sewn arrangement 20.

FIG. 5 shows a luggage retention device 10 that differs from the above luggage retention device according to FIG. 4 only in that the lateral delimitation devices 17 are designed as gathered material with elastic inserts 21 (or tension tape 21). FIG. 6A shows a further luggage retention device 10 that differs from the luggage retention device according to FIG. 4 only in that the lateral delimitation devices 17 comprise a scissor-type mechanism 22. FIG. 6A shows the in-use state, i.e. the state in which the suitcase has been inserted into the luggage retention device 10. Other embodiments of the lateral delimitation devices 17 are allowed, provided that the upper element 15 conforms with the lower element 16 when the suitcase 12 is withdrawn from the luggage retention device 10.

FIG. 6B shows a state of the luggage retention device 10 according to FIG. 6A without a suitcase.

FIG. 6C shows the luggage retention device 10 according to FIG. 6B in the folded-together state.

FIG. 7 shows the luggage retention device 10 which may be designed so as to be integrated in the seat 1. According to this embodiment, the luggage retention device 10 is, attached by a wire hoop 23 or a plastic frame to the lower end of the base 24 of the seat 1, for example by a screw connection. This ensures that if there is a change in the layout of the seats, the associated luggage retention devices move along with the seats.

According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the luggage retention device may also be slidable, as an independent component, along a seat rail 25. According to this embodiment, the luggage retention device 10 may not be designed so as to be integrated in the seat 1. The elevated part 13 of the luggage retention device 10 is, for example, formed by a dimensionally stable frame in order to easily slide a briefcase (not shown) into the luggage retention device 10 without having to manually lift the upper element 15 of the retention device 10.

According to FIGS. 1 to 8, a luggage retention device has been described for the aisle-side seat 1 of the group 2 of seats. As an alternative it may be possible to provide such a luggage retention device 10 for all the seats of the group 2 of seats, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

FIG. 9 shows the group 2 of seats, in which seats 7 and 1 are folded up. Although not shown, for example seat 8 may also be folded up.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example the upper element 15 may be connected to the seat 7 by elastic attachments 27 in order to form an inclined insertion surface for inserting a briefcase from the rear (not shown) and in this way form the raised part 13. In this way it may be possible, for example by a vacuum cleaner 28, to push down the upper element 15 for cleaning the luggage retention device 10 when no briefcase may be inserted.

The separate luggage retention devices 10 shown in FIG. 9 may also be designed as an integrated unit 29, as shown in FIG. 10. Analogous to the considerations according to FIGS. 7 and 8, this integrated unit 29 of the stowage volume could be combined underneath a group of seats to form a floor-covering panel or similar, which either forms part of the seat chassis, compare FIG. 10, or may be installed on the cabin floor as an independent component, compare FIG. 11. If the various seat chassis are locked into place at the desired positions on the seat rails, then the integrated unit 29 with the carpet pockets 10 may be also secured.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is understood that it goes without saying that modifications and changes may be made without leaving the protective scope of the invention. For example, the floor itself may be the lower element 16 of the luggage retention device described above if the luggage retention device is not designed so as to be integrated in the seat. Furthermore, the invention may also be used in applications other than in an aircraft, for example in a bus.

In addition, it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations.

Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided will become apparent on this disclosure. It is not possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such combinations and variations may be claims that eventually issue. 

1. A luggage retention device capable of being affixed underneath a seat area of a passenger seat, comprising: an upper element; and a lower element, wherein the upper element in a region of a backrest of the passenger seat is spaced apart from the lower element such that a raised part of the luggage retention device is formed and in the region of a front edge of the seat area contacts the lower element to form a part of the luggage retention device, the part being arranged so as to be lying substantially flat against a floor, and the lower element being made of flexible materials.
 2. The luggage retention device of claim 1, further comprising lateral delimitation devices, the lateral delimitation devices interconnecting edges of the upper element with those of the lower element in a region between the raised part and the substantially flat-lying part.
 3. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the delimitation devices are made of an elastic net.
 4. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the delimitation devices include a material with an elastic insert or tension tape.
 5. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the delimitation devices are designed as a scissor-type mechanism.
 6. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein an area of the upper element is larger than that of the lower element.
 7. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein luggage retention device, by way of connections, is integrated with the passenger seat.
 8. The luggage retention device of claim 7, wherein in an installed state of the passenger seat, the lower element rests substantially flat on the floor to which the passenger seat is fastened.
 9. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the luggage retention device is an independent component, and is slidable along a seat rail in which the passenger seat is arranged.
 10. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the raised part of the luggage retention device is formed by a dimensionally stable frame.
 11. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the raised part is formed by elastic fasteners provided on the upper element and connected to the passenger seat, the fasteners allowing the ability to push the upper element downwards onto the lower element.
 12. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein several luggage retention devices for a group of passenger seats form an integrated unit.
 13. A passenger seat comprising a luggage retention device of claim
 1. 